The Quinn War (2015)

Chapter Fifteen: When Brothers Fight!

Cameron awoke to the sound of his phone vibrating on the nightstand, the harsh buzz cutting through the early morning quiet. Groggy and disoriented, he fumbled for the device, squinting at the screen. It was Ricky. A call from him this early usually meant trouble.

"Yeah?" Cameron answered, his voice thick with sleep.

"Cameron, it's Ricky," came the familiar, gravelly voice on the other end. Ricky didn't waste time with pleasantries. "We've got a situation. Francesca Quinn is at the SPD centre. Jacky called me-he's got eyes on her, but she's just sitting there. Alone."

Cameron sat up in bed, instantly more alert. "What's she doing there?"

"Nothing yet," Ricky replied. "That's the problem. She's just sitting there, watching one of the classes. Jacky's not sure what her game is, but we both know it can't be anything good. I need you to go down there and sort it out."

Cameron ran a hand through his hair, trying to process the information. "Alright. I'll head over now."

"Be careful," Ricky added, his tone serious. "She's unpredictable, and we don't know what she's planning."

"I will," Cameron assured him before ending the call.

Cameron got dressed quickly, pulling on a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt. He laced up his boots with a sense of purpose, his mind already running through possible scenarios. Francesca wouldn't just show up at the SPD centre without a reason. He had to be prepared for anything.

After grabbing his jacket, Cameron headed out the door, his mind focused on the task at hand. The drive to the SPD centre was a blur, the early morning streets quiet and still. As he pulled into the car park, he spotted Jacky waiting for him at the entrance, his expression tense.

"She's in the hall," Jacky said, skipping the formalities. "Just sitting there, watching one of the beginner classes. Hasn't said a word to anyone."

Cameron nodded, feeling the tension in his chest tighten. "Did she bring anything with her? A bag, anything?"

Jacky shook his head. "Nothing that I could see. She just walked in and sat down like she belonged here."

"Alright," Cameron said, steeling himself. "I'll handle it."

Jacky clapped him on the shoulder. "Be careful, mate. She's not the type to just sit quietly."

Cameron nodded and walked through the double doors into the main hall. At the far end of the room, he spotted Francesca sitting on a bench, her gaze fixed on the students in the ring. She looked calm, almost serene, which only heightened Cameron's sense of unease.

Meanwhile, across town, Kieran was struggling with his own demons. He had barely slept the night before, his mind racing with the implications of what he had agreed to do. Killing Ricky Johnston was something he had never seriously considered before, but now that the seed had been planted, it had taken root in his thoughts.

As he stood in front of the bathroom mirror, splashing cold water on his face, Kieran tried to psyche himself up. He stared at his reflection, seeing the doubt and fear in his own eyes. This wasn't just another job. This was different. This was personal.

"You can do this," he muttered to himself, trying to sound convincing. "It's just business. Ricky's had it coming for a long time."

But the words felt hollow, even as he said them. Kieran knew that what he was about to do would change everything. He had always been loyal to Ricky, even when he disagreed with him. But now, with Francesca's offer on the table, everything felt different. The money, the chance to finally be more than just a hired hand-it was intoxicating.